Correcting Run-on Sentences

What is a run-on sentence?

Correcting a run-on sentence
Separate sentences
Compound sentence
Complex sentence
Review A
Review B
 What is a run-on sentence?

A run-on sentence is two or more complete

sentences run together into one.
Run-on sentences do not show where one idea
ends and another one begins.

Examples

Lightning flashes in our eyes thunder sounds in our ears.

We cannot hear and see both at the same time, we

sense these events separately.
 What is a run-on sentence?

Identify the complete sentences in the run-ons below.

1. Sculptors in Benin create detailed statues,

they use the lost-wax process of casting.

2. The sculptor forms a figure from soil and

water after it has dried, the sculptor coats it
with beeswax.

3. The sculptor heats bronze until it liquefies

then the sculptor pours molten bronze into
the mold.
 Correcting a run-on sentence

How you revise a run-on sentence depends upon

the relationship you want to show between the
ideas.

If then
ideas are NOT make two
closely related sentences

ideas ARE closely

related
make a compound
and sentence
ideas ARE
equally important
 Correcting a run-on sentence

If
ideas ARE closely
then
related
make a complex
but sentence
the ideas are NOT
equally important

[End of Section]
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Compound sentence

Make a compound sentence

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Jaya ran to catch the train,she

butmissed it by two
she missed it by
minutes.
two minutes.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Compound sentence

Use a semicolon:

Jaya ran to
Jaya ran to catch the train
catch the train;she
shemissed
missedititby
bytwo
two
minutes.
minutes.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Compound sentence

Use a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb followed

by a comma.

Jaya ran to catch the train;she missed itshe

however, by two
minutes.
missed it by two minutes.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Compound sentence

Common Conjunctive Adverbs

also incidentally next
anyway indeed nonetheless
besides instead otherwise
consequently likewise still
finally meanwhile then
furthermore moreover therefore
however nevertheless thus
Conjunctive adverbs express specific relationships
between ideas. Be sure to choose the conjunctive
adverb that most clearly expresses what you want
to say.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Compound sentence

Revise the following run-on sentences by

making each one into a compound sentence.

1. The tire was flat I got the spare tire and the
jack out of the trunk.
2. The surface of the planet Mars can be seen
through a telescope it appears reddish in color.
3. Despite my good intentions, I started my
homework late I still had enough time to study
for the test.
4. Derek went to the library to do research he
forgot to check out the book he needed.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Complex sentence

Bats are usually harmless creatures, some people

think they are dangerous.

Step 1: Break the run-on into two

independent clauses.

Bats are usually harmless creatures.

Some people think they are dangerous.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Complex sentence

Step 2: Decide which idea is more important

(or which idea you want to emphasize).
The more important idea will be the
independent clause in the sentence.
If you want to Use this as your
focus on… independent clause.
the harmlessness Bats are usually
of bats harmless creatures.
some people’s fear Some people think
of bats they are dangerous.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Complex sentence

Strategy 3: Make a complex sentence

Step 3: Make the less important clause a
subordinate clause.
Subordinate Clause = LESS important idea

Although bats are usually harmless creatures,

some people think they are dangerous.

Independent Clause = MORE important idea

A subordinating conjunction begins this

subordinate clause and connects it to the
independent clause.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Complex sentence

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

after how though
although if unless
as in order that until
as if provided when
as much as since whenever
as though so that where
because than wherever
before that while
A subordinating conjunction begins a subordinate
clause and connects it to an independent clause.
Correcting a run-on sentence
Complex sentence

A subordinating conjunction may

come between the clauses it joins
or at the beginning of the
sentence.

We celebrated after we won the

election.

After we won the election, we

celebrated.
When a subordinating conjunction
begins a sentence, use a comma
after the subordinate clause.
 Correcting a run-on sentence
Complex sentence

Revise the following run-on sentences

using the subordinating conjunction in parentheses.

1. She invited her friends to dinner, Lola began

preparing the meal. (after)

2. She chopped some onion and green pepper the

beans were simmering. (while)

3. The beans were ready, everyone sat down at

the table to eat. (when)

4. Lola had worked hard her friends cleaned up the

kitchen. (since)
The End